The United Arab Emirates will send a satellite to Mars in the coming days to study its weather and climate.
Hope, as the 1.3-tonne probe is called, is launching on an H-2A rocket from Japan's remote Tanegashima spaceport.
The 500-million-km journey should see the robotic craft arrive in February 2021 - in time for the 50th anniversary of the UAE's formation.
Officials will set a launch date and time just as soon as the weather at Tanegashima complies.
Two attempts have already been called off ahead of time because of expected poor conditions
Hope is one of three missions launching to Mars this month. The US and China both have surface rovers in the late stages of preparation.
